The first inhabitants of what is now New Jersey were prehistoric Indians of the Algonquian language family who arrived some 7,000 years ago. They called themselves LenniLenape, "Original People." (Later, they were known as the Delaware Indians.) Three LenniLenape subtribes inhabited the regionthe Minsi in the north; the Unami in the central area; and the Unilachtigo in the south. The chief of the Unami was considered the leader of ail the tribes. The descendants of these original inhabitants occupied New Jersey when European exploration of the region began in the 17th century.
Constitution on December 18.1844 New Jersey adopted its second constitution.1858 The first dinosaur skeleton discovered in North America was found buried in Haddonfield.1869 Rutgers defeated the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), by a score of 6 to 4, in New Brunswick in the world's first intercollegiate football game.
1879 Thomas A. Edison developed the first practical incandescent lamp in Menlo Park.1911 Many reforms were enacted under Governor Woodrow Wilson.1947 New Jersey adopted its third constitution.1952 The New Jersey Turnpike opened.1969 New Jersey voters approved a state lottery to raise money for the state government and for the schools.1976 New Jersey adopted an individual income tax.1978 Casino gambling began in Atlantic City.19942001 Christine Todd Whitman served as New Jersey's first woman governor.